Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Veteran's right wrist strain secondary to a right wrist fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right wrist disorder (originally claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist) due to lack of competent evidence showing current disabilities or a nexus to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification of her military service dates, additional medical records, and further examination.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of a separate rating for neurological manifestations, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The VA examiner concluded that it is at least as likely as not that the carpal tunnel syndrome is caused or aggravated by the service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, a right ankle disability, and chronic disabilities manifested by chest pain and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his pre-existing right wrist condition was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist and left foot injury residuals are currently rated at the lowest possible evaluations (10 percent each). The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current, chronic left wrist disability or cervical spine disability related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's wrist disabilities, specifically arthritis and tendonitis with carpal tunnel syndrome, are currently rated at 20 percent for each wrist under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability and could not establish a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and left wrist have been granted a noncompensable disability rating, which is the minimum possible rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders, as well as his swelling of the wrist, fingers, and knees, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The gastrointestinal disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hand/wrist disability, right ankle disability, and cervical spine disability have been denied. The right hand/wrist disability is currently rated at 10% due to limitation of motion. The right ankle disability has been granted a 10% rating based on moderate instability with flare-ups approximately four to five times per month resulting in pain and swelling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further review of evidence. The claim for a right wrist disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran claims service connection for his current left arm and wrist conditions, which he asserts are related to an inservice injury in 1946. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of the claimed injuries and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is related to her service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities have been granted increased initial evaluations. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, headaches, right wrist disability, tinnitus, sinus disorder, and bilateral foot disability, were denied as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.